li- 



on the trees. Some of the Shaddock are cut and opened, to show the 

 beautiful interior formation. On the bottom are several of the enor- 

 mous Gourds, and ripe Cocoa Nuts, on which are laid two bunches of 

 different kinds of plantains ( Mum Paradiseaca ), one of which (the 

 horse plantain) is of 120 pounds weight. The Plantain constitutes, 

 with the Banana, (from which it differs only in size and colour) a 

 principal article of the food of the inhabitants of the Tropics, to 

 whom it supplies, in a great measure, the place of bread. 



No. 39.— Fruit of the Fan Palm— Cocoa Nut, &c. 



No. 40.— In this Case are represented, growing, two varieties of 

 the Banana — the common Yellow, and the Scarlet, lately introduced 

 from the South Seas. On the ground are two other kinds of Banana, 

 a bunch of Dates, and baskets filled with several of the fruits of the 

 Tropics. Attached to the leaves of the Banana are two of the large 

 cobweb-like nests of lepidopterous insects, common about Xalappa, 

 and other provinces of New Spain. 



No. 41. Indian Corn; a very singular Gourd ; Bread-fruit, &c. &c. 



No. 42.— This Case is occupied by the round-leaved Nopal/ or 

 Prickly Pear ; it grows to a much larger size than those previously 

 described, and the fruit is preferable for the table ; the immense 

 succulent leaves are also without spine. The bottom exhibits the 

 cocoa-nut, as fresh plucked from the tree. 



No. 43. — Bread-fruit, the Semi Horidas a poisonous plant, Cancu- 

 locumbesens, or Sea Vine. 



No. 44.— Turban Gourds, Banana, Bread-fruit, &c. &c. 

 MINERALS. 



Nos. 45 and 46.— The rare and splendid Collection of Mexican 

 minerals is arranged in two large Cases; they are principally from the 

 mines of the Counts of Vallentiana and Regla, and contain a great vari- 

 ety of the most beautiful substances, many of which are new. Those in 

 Case 45, are a selection from the mines of the Count de Regla, from 

 his own private cabinet, and were presented by him to Mr. Bullock,, 

 for the express purpose of forming a part of the present Exhibition. The 

 Magnesian Pearl Spa, the Aborescent, the Foliated Magnesian Spa, 

 the Opal, &c. &c. are resplendent ; and in Case 46, the varieties of the 

 Amethyst are greatly to be admired. 



